By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
JAMES Parkinson has always been cognisant that his calling in life was to train the youth of Jamaica in academic and life skills. For him, the journey as educator lasted for over four decades.
It was a trek punctuated with bittersweet experiences, but the crowning glory of it all came two Saturdays ago when past students of Montego Bay Secondary (now St. James High) showered him with accolades, tributes, toasts, hugs and kisses.
Looking dapper in black and white attire and gushing with excitement, the grey-haired 73-year-old educator, popularly known as 'Missa Parkie', confessed to The Gleaner that the function held in his honour was the, "best thing to have happened to me in decades."
In the midst of being regaled, pampered, wined and dined, the retired teacher's heart went out to the children of this generation. "I think the adults now are short-changing the children. They are not getting enough guidance from the adults," Mr. Parkinson told The Gleaner. "While we need to help the youth lead disciplined lives, adults also need to listen to them and earn their trust."
In looking at his childhood life under the tutelage of Mr. Parkinson, St. James-based Custom Broker Joe Hylton remember his former Industrial Arts teacher as a stern disciplinarian and one who was a motivating force in his life.
STERN AND LOVING HAND
"Just tonight Mr. Parkinson reminded me of the time I almost burnt down the Industrial Arts lab. For days I was teased about the explosion I caused in the lab," Mr. Hylton chuckled, as he reminisced on his days at Montego Bay Secondary. "Mr. Parkie really steered us along the right path with a stern and loving hand."
Organiser of the function, which was held at Day-O Plantation, Count Bill Bailey, a mechanical engineer in the United States, credited Mr. Parkinson with giving him inspiration to pursue his current career.
"He has been very influential in my life, he has been my mentor. It's because of his suggestions about pursuing careers in architecture and engineering why I really caught on to the idea of engineering," he said.
Scores of past students residing in Europe, Canada, the United States and Jamaica turned out for the reunion dinner and roast at Day-O Plantation held in honour of the former Montego Bay Secondary School vice principal.
Mr. Parkinson's first job was that of apprentice chemist at the now defunct Ironshore Estate. He then went into a teaching career that spanned a stint at the Montego Bay Primary before moving to Montego Bay Secondary, where he taught Woodwork and Technical Drawing.
And how has 'Mr. Parkie', who left the classroom in 1994, been spending his years in retirement? He has been hanging out with friends at White House Fishing Beach and at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, where he was an active member.
